Car-pipe coupler



Feb. 21, 1928.

lNVENTOR ATTORNEY- WlTNESS:

Feb. 21, 1928.

J. WARE CAR PI'PE COUPLER Filed Feb, 18. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ijAT'IOWNEY WITNESS:

Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STA JOHN WARE, OF PINEVIlILLE, KENTUCKY.

CARF'PIPE COUPLER.

Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,286.

This invention relates to a pipe coupling for railroad trains, thegeneral object of the invention beingto provide automatic means forCoupling together the train pipes astwo cars are coupled together, sothat it is not necessary for the trainmen to couple said pipes.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand. specifically pointed out in the appended claim. 7

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1is a fragmentary side view of a pair of cars showing the invention inuse,

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1. r I

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44: of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectioned .view through one of the couplingmeans showing the pipes in section.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showing the valve means of two pipes inclosed position and just before the parts assume a position where thevalves will be opened.

As shown in these views, I place a depending bracket 1 on each end ofeach car in which is rotatably arranged a block 2 which has itstrunnions 3 positioned so that the block can rotate about a verticalaxis. Each block has an arm t which is connected with opposite sides ofthebracket by the springs 5, these springs tending to hold the block inits middle position. A square shank 6 passes horizontally through theblock and a coupling head 7 is carried on the outer end of each shank. Acoil spring 8 is arranged between the head and the bracket and tends tohold the head and shank extended, but will permit the head and shank tomove toward the center of the car when another head strikes the firsthead. Each head is of substantially conical form, with its baseoutermost so that a flaring socket is provided in the head which acts asa guide for the pipe of the other car when two cars are moving tocoupling position. Each head 1s d1- vided in half, with thehalf 7hingedly connected with the stationary partof the hinge 9, this hingebeing a spring one, so thatthe part 7 norniallyremains in contactingrelation to the stationary part. The hingepart 7 .has an opening 10therein in which-is arranged a shouldered .member 11 which is normallyheld in its innermost position by the coil springs 12 on the bolts 13which also act as guides for the member 11. A valve casing 14: iscarried at the inner end of the socket of each head and this casing isconnected by a pipe 15 which passes through the shank 6, with'theflexible pipe 16 which is connected with the train pipe. Each casingcarries a valve 17 which is normally held upon its seat 18 by a spring19, the outer end of the stem of the valve being beveled, as shown. Anextension pipe 20 is connected with an extension of the casing by meansofa flexible tube 21, so that the extension pipe 20 is flexiblyconnected with the casing and the extremity of this extension 20 is alsoprovided with a-valve casing 22 which carries a valve 23 which is aduplicate of the valve 17 and the stem of this valve 23 is also beveledso that when a valve in an extension 20 comes opposite a valve in thecasing 14 of another car, the two valves will be opened so that fluidcan pass from one car to the other. The parts are provided with suitablegaskets 24 to make a tight joint when the two parts come together. Thecasings are provided with rounded parts 25 so that as the rounded parton one casing engages the rounded part on the other, the casings willmove apart and in this movement the hinge sections will be movedoutwardly and then as the rounded parts pass each other, the springhinges will force the sections closed and firmly pr-ess'a casing 22,against the casing 14 so that the valves will be opened.- The parts willbe held in coupling positionby the shoulder on member 11 engaging therear part of the casing 22.

From the foregoing, it will. be seen that I have provided means wherebytrain pipes. will be automatically coupled together when the cars aremoved to coupling position and as soon asthe cars are uncoupled, theparts of the pipecoupling will automatically separate as the hingesections will be raised by the pressure of the casing 22 on theshouldered member 11'to permit the extension pipe 20 of one couplingelement to pass out of the coupling head of the other element.

IJI

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of my invention Will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several I parts, providedthat such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is A pipe coupling for cars comprising a head having aflaring mouth, said head being formed in sections, one section beinghingedly connected with the other, a spring connected with the hinge, aspring pressed shouldered member carried by thehinge section, a valvecasing in the head, a spring pressed valve controlling the outlet of the'pipe of one car in the head'of another car;

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature.

JOHN WARE.

